Reflecting design thinking: a case study of the process of designing dashboards

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the complexities in dashboard design process. Design/methodology/approach – The authors chose case study research, following Benbasat et al. (2002) who argued that it is suitable for information system research, as researchers could perform the study in the organisation as a natural setting. As a result, the authors could learn and generate insights from practice. Another reason was mainly as the phenomenon being studied cannot be taken away from its context (Yin, 2003). In addition, through case study, the authors aim to achieve a deeper understanding and richer descriptions on the subject of research in a “real-world context” (Yin, 2012). In addition, it aims to understand the intricacy of the processes going on in the organisation by focusing more towards organisational rather than the technological issues (Benbasat et al., 1987). Findings – Through research, the authors highlighted that it is important to align the dashboard design with the organisation’s visions and goals. This creates a more persuasive rationale for adoption amongst the users, as they could use the dashboard as a means to assist them in achieving the vision and goals of the organisation. More importantly, the analysis clearly indicates the need to consider the creation of a dashboard as a holistic exercise. The intricate processes of designing a dashboard are often underestimated. Instead of focusing into a specific aspect (such as user interface or functionality) of designing dashboards, the authors should look into the multi-faceted aspects in designing an effective dashboard. Research limitations/implications – This paper articulates the findings from a single case study. However, arguably, the results of this study are transferable to other entities responsible for designing business intelligence (BI) and business analytics dashboards. Research on dashboard design and the use of design thinking across different type organisations is currently ongoing to allow for cross-case analyses. Practical implications – The study has determined that interdisciplinary and cross-functional group communications play a significant role in designing a dashboard. The ability to collaborate with “data owners”, would be dashboard users, managers of the technical infrastructure, and process owners leads to a workable and effective dashboard. In this sense, design thinking could be used and/or regarded as a holistic, creative and solutions-oriented framework. Originality/value – With an increasing interest on BI and business analytics, dashboards have an increasingly pivotal role in providing a summary of data for business users. The literature review shows in designing a dashboard; there is much emphasis on the graphical user interface and in providing features and functionalities for the dashboards. This paper presents a case study outlining the key considerations of a team in charge of business analytics and dashboard creations for a university. Through the case study analysis, the authors explore the key aspects that influence a dashboard design and analyse the design processes using the concept of design thinking as the theoretical framework.

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